Negative Self-Talk
Installation and text
With Anastasiia Bergalevich
2023
Negative Self-Talk can also be conceptualized as a symptom of neoliberal governance and the disciplinary society. The notion of possessive individualism, a byproduct of modern bourgeois subjectivity, functions as a hegemonic force that normalizes and potentially stifles “counter-behavior.” Within the framework of neoliberal governance, self-discipline and self-control are not solely mechanisms of repression or oppression; rather, they represent inwardly held technologies of the self. Thus, Negative Self-Talk operates simultaneously as a tool for self-discipline and a metric of self-punishment.
Popular psychology suggests utilizing positive affirmations to counter Negative Self-Talk. These affirmations, which are brief positive statements, are intended to be recited aloud or internally on a regular basis to enhance individuals’ perceptions of their lives and self-worth. However, positive affirmations, too, remain within the confines of possessive individualism.
Through careful observation and analysis of our own negative self-talk, we identified that our learning environment—specifically, the HfG amid political turmoil—significantly influenced our inner dialogues. This realization prompted us to investigate more closely the experiences of students, the most vulnerable demographic within this institution, particularly during periods of diminished (overt) authority. In an effort to subvert the ideological function of positive affirmations, we developed a small series of handcrafted jewelry pieces. Each necklace features a unique composition of letters, articulating an affirmation that points to the structural causes of our experiences. During the exhibition opening, visitors were invited to take these necklaces with them, wearing them on campus or elsewhere, fostering conversations that transform the isolation of Negative Self-Talk into a collective experience, and potentially, a political demand.
This text was collaboratively authored with Anastasiia Bergalevich, following an in-depth exploration of the dynamics of authoritarian figures, particularly drawing insights from the works of Hannah Arendt, Massimo Recalcati and Erich Fromm.
Published on -> Schwarm HfG Karlsruhe